The Two Week Wait: what can I expect?

During an embryo transfer, an embryo or embryos are released into the cavity of the womb with the use of a very thin tube, called embryo transfer catheter, that passes through the vagina and the cervix. The lining of the womb undergoes changes to receive the embryo(s). These changes are driven by hormones that are either produced naturally or administered via medication depending on the type of treatment.

We get lots of questions about embryo transfer, and whether there’s anything you can do around this time to increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Here are some of the most frequently asked:

Emotions in the two week wait

How to cope with the two week wait after IVF?

The two-week wait can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, filled with excitement and anxiety. However, there are many ways to cope with this period:

1.        Focus on activities that relax and distract you: Light exercise like walking, reading, or spending time with loved ones can help keep your mind busy.

2.        Practice mindfulness, meditation or relaxation techniques to stay grounded: You may find breathing exercises, listening to your favourite music, gentle swimming or yoga, and getting outside can all be beneficial.

3.        Try not to symptom spot: It can be easy to overanalyse every potential symptom and feeling, heading online to look for answers. However, remember that many signs of early pregnancy are the same as the signs that your period is coming, so they aren't reliable indicators and focusing too much on physical sensations can take a toll on your mental health.

4.        Resist the urge to do a pregnancy test: While it may be tempting to do a home pregnancy test, they can contribute to your anxiety, especially if taken too early as they can provide a false negative.

5.        Reach out if you’re struggling: Speak to your partner, family, or friends if you're finding the two week tough. This time can feel isolating but support groups such as those on Fertility Network UK, or speaking to a fertility counsellor can help you to process your emotions and feel understood.

How to deal with anxiety after embryo transfer?

Anxiety is very common during the two-week wait. To manage it, try to set realistic expectations and understand that this period is naturally filled with uncertainty. Practising self-care, using relaxation techniques, connecting with others and avoiding stressors can help.

Remind yourself that you’ve done everything you can, and the outcome is beyond your control at this stage. If anxiety becomes overwhelming, make sure you reach out to someone, be it your partner, family, friends, a support group or a counsellor.

Is crying ok after embryo transfer?

Yes, crying is a natural emotional release, and it’s perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed during this time. Your body is going through significant changes, and the emotional stress of the process can lead to tears. Letting those emotions out can actually help you feel better in the long run, so don’t hold back if you need a good cry.

Diet and lifestyle in the two week wait

What can you not do during a two week wait for IVF?

It’s natural to want to know anything that may help or hinder your chances of getting pregnant. Some activities are best avoided as they have the potential to be harmful to a pregnancy, but there are also things that you should try not to do to protect your physical and emotional well-being:

• Smoking

• Drinking alcohol

• Excessive caffeine

• Recreational drugs

• Heavy lifting

• Intense or strenuous exercise

• Hot baths, saunas and hot tubs

• Symptom spotting or researching symptoms online

• Taking pregnancy tests

• Isolating yourself from others

What should I eat to help implantation?

Evidence supports the positive effect of a balanced, healthy diet on conception and pregnancy.

As a general advice, a woman trying to conceive should follow a diet suitable for pregnancy: lots of fruit and vegetables (always wash well any vegetables that will be eaten raw), good sources of fibre, complex carbohydrates, and protein. Like in pregnancy, avoid high risk foods like unpasteurised cheeses and those fish associated with heavy metal content, such as shark and marlin.

It’s also important to maintain a good intake of calcium and other vitamins and minerals. You should ensure you have a balanced intake of essential nutrients. You can talk to your doctor or Apricity advisor who can give dietary advice or recommend supplements if you’re concerned about meeting your nutritional needs during your treatment and beyond.

It’s important to stay hydrated throughout the IVF process, and especially in these early stages of implantation and pregnancy. Drinking plenty of water – around two litres, though this includes other liquids in your diet – is always recommended.

Can you drink alcohol during the two week wait?

It’s recommended to avoid alcohol during the two-week wait. Alcohol can potentially interfere with implantation or early development of a foetus, so it’s better to be cautious and abstain until you know the outcome of your fertility treatment.

Should you avoid caffeine during the two week wait?

It’s generally advised to avoid caffeine during the two week wait as there is evidence to suggest that excessive caffeine consumption can disrupt implantation and is associated with miscarriage. However, some say it is safe to consume 200-300mg of caffeine per day. If you'd still like to enjoy a cuppa during the two week wait, we'd recommend sticking to decaf coffee or tea.   

Is it safe to take paracetamol during the two week wait?

Paracetamol is safe to take during the two week wait and pregnancy and will not harm your pregnancy if taken in the recommended dose. However, you should avoid co-codamol, which contains paracetamol and codeine, as codeine can affect a baby.

Can I exercise after embryo transfer?

We recommend that you avoid strenuous activity around the time of embryo transfer. There is no evidence to support total bed rest to improve implantation rates and total bed rest is associated with other health risks. You can return to your normal day-to-day life, but being mindful that you should take it a little easy, give yourself a break, and get enough rest and relaxation.

The two-week wait between embryo transfer and a pregnancy test is a time for you to look after yourself. Fertility treatment can be physically and emotionally stressful and the fast pace of modern life can be stressful enough already. Excessive stress can have an adverse effect on fertility and health in general and so it’s important to try and relax in whatever way suits you and as much as possible. Yoga, meditation and mindfulness techniques can be very helpful.

Very hot baths, saunas and steam rooms, or any activities which significantly raise your core temperature are NOT recommended.

Your doctor or Apricity advisor can make additional recommendations tailored to your case.

Is there anything I should take after the embryo transfer?

You should have a comprehensive plan for the medication you need to take throughout your treatment. You should continue to take any medications as advised by your Apricity advisor, including luteal support drugs and folic acid.

 At your initial appointments, you’d have been asked about any other medications you already take, and your consultant will have given you advice about whether any of your medications can affect IVF treatment, conception or pregnancy.

People often ask about taking pain medication We recommend that you only take paracetamol at the recommended dose and not on a long-term basis unless you have discussed it with your doctor. Your Apricity advisor is on hand to discuss specific medications.

Can embryos fall out immediately after transfer?

No! Once they’re in place in your womb, it’s up to them to implant and grow.

Are there any preferred sleeping positions following embryo transfer?

There’s no evidence to show that any sleeping position is better than any other for embryo implantation. The embryo is transferred when your womb is ready, when the lining is soft and thick and ideal for an embryo to implant. You can lie however you like – just get comfy.  

Can you have sex during the two week wait?

It may be the last thing on your mind, or it may not… either way, the current advice is generally to abstain throughout the two-week period after transfer. Opinion is divided on this, but as vaginal intercourse can trigger uterine contractions, we recommend that you avoid it at this stage.

Can you have acupuncture during the two week wait?

Yes, acupuncture is often considered safe and can even be beneficial in promoting relaxation during the two-week wait. Some studies also suggest it may support implantation and blood flow to the uterus.

Can you have a bath during the two week wait?

It’s best to avoid baths or hot tubs during the two week wait as high temperatures can affect your body in ways that might affect implantation.  

Can you fly during the two week wait?

It’s generally safe to fly during the two week wait, as there is no evidence that it has adverse outcomes on implantation or early pregnancy. However, many people prefer to stay close to home to avoid the potential stress of travel.

Can you swim during the two week wait?

While it’s best to avoid strenuous exercise, light swimming during the two week wait is ok and can actually help with relaxation and keeping your mind distracted.

Is dying your hair during the two week wait ok?

Most research indicates that it is safe to dye your hair during pregnancy. The chemicals in permanent and semi-permanent dyes have the potential to cause harm, but only in very high doses. If you want to err on the side of caution, wait until after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy before colouring your hair.

Signs and symptoms in the two week wait

What happens in the two week wait day by day?

In the two week wait, the implanted embryo is changing, as is your body. While the exact timings are different for everyone, the following events happen:

Day 1: An embryo is transferred into your uterus. If it's a fresh transfer, the embryo is usually on day three or five of its development. If it’s a frozen embryo transfer (FET), the embryo will already be at this stage. On this day, the embryo doesn’t immediately implant into the uterine lining but begins to float around and acclimate to its new environment.

Day 2: The embryo continues to develop inside your uterus. If it's a day 5 transfer, the embryo is now a blastocyst and may begin hatching out of its protective shell, preparing for implantation. At this point, you won’t feel anything yet, as implantation hasn't occurred.

Day 3: On this day, the embryo may start attaching to the uterine lining. It’s in the process of finding the ideal spot to implant. Some women feel slight cramping, though this isn’t very common at this early stage. Emotional ups and downs are common, given the anticipation and hormonal treatments you’ve been undergoing.

Days 4-5: Around day 4, if implantation is going to happen, this is when it might begin. The embryo starts to burrow into the uterine lining to establish a connection. This can cause light spotting in some women, though not everyone experiences it. Cramping can occur as well but is often mild.

Day 6: If implantation is successful, the embryo continues to burrow deeper into the uterine lining. Some women might experience light cramping or spotting (known as implantation bleeding), but many won’t notice any signs at all. The body may begin producing low levels of hCG (the pregnancy hormone), though it’s too early for a pregnancy test to detect it.

Day 7: A week in, implantation is typically complete if it has occurred. Your body begins to produce more hCG, which will eventually be detectable in a blood test in the coming days. If implantation is successful, hormonal changes will continue, but physical symptoms are usually subtle at this stage.

Day 8: At this point, the embryo is fully implanted, and the body is starting to produce hCG in higher amounts. You may start noticing early signs of pregnancy like tender breasts, bloating, or mild cramping, but these symptoms are also common side effects of the progesterone supplements used during IVF, so they aren’t definitive.

Day 9: hCG levels are rising, and you might feel more bloated or notice changes in cervical mucus, which could become thicker or creamier. While some women feel nothing at all, others may have fatigue, emotional swings, or mild pregnancy-like symptoms. Keep in mind that the hormones you’re taking as part of your IVF protocol can mimic pregnancy signs.

Days 10-14: By this point, your body is producing measurable levels of hCG if the embryo has implanted successfully. A blood test at your clinic can usually detect these levels at this stage. Some women may feel anxious and consider taking a home pregnancy test, though it’s still early and could result in a false negative if hCG levels aren’t high enough. Regardless of the outcome, it's important to allow yourself to process whatever emotions arise.

What does cervical mucus look like after implantation if you are pregnant?

If implantation occurs, you might notice a thicker, gummy and clear cervical mucus. Some people report an increase in discharge due to rising hormone levels. However, mucus consistency varies, and its presence or absence isn’t a definitive sign of pregnancy.

I’m having some pain/spotting… has something gone wrong?

It’s not unusual to experience some light spotting after the transfer procedure and during implantation. Some people also have some crampy pains or feel bloated. We see these symptoms a lot, and they don’t appear to correlate with the IVF being successful or unsuccessful. If you are having heavy bleeding, severe pains, or any other symptoms which you feel are not right, we’re on hand and can give you personalised advice about what might be happening.

I have diarrhoea during the two week wait… should I be worried?

Mild diarrhoea can sometimes happen due to hormonal changes, stress, or changes in diet. While it’s usually not a cause for concern, if it persists or is accompanied by other worrying symptoms, such as blood in your stool, or abdominal pain that stops you from eating, you should reach out to your doctor for advice.

If you experience diarrhoea in the two week wait, try eating bland foods such as toast, rice and bananas to help settle your digestive system. Be sure to also drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Is constipation a good sign after embryo transfer?

Constipation is common after embryo transfer, often due to hormonal fluctuations from progesterone supplements or early pregnancy. It’s not a definitive sign of pregnancy but can be an indication of the changes happening in your body.

How far along are you two weeks after embryo transfer?

If the embryo has successfully implanted, you would technically be considered about 4 weeks pregnant by the time you take a pregnancy test, as pregnancy is usually dated from the first day of your last menstrual period, which is roughly two weeks before egg retrieval.

In conclusion…

Going through fertility treatment can be stressful, and sometimes the process can feel out of your control. It’s very natural to want to do whatever you can to help, and the best way to do that is to concentrate on looking after yourself. The best advice is common sense: eat healthily, avoid cigarette smoke, exercise gently, and try some relaxation techniques. You don’t need to confine yourself to bed, but you should go easy on yourself, as you’re going through a lot – both physically and emotionally.

Although you should do everything you can to stay healthy and relaxed, remember that it’s not your fault if it doesn’t work this time. Lots of things can affect the success rate of IVF, and although it’s natural to look for reasons when things don’t go as planned, it’s really mostly out of your control at this point - be kind to yourself!

Remember, your Apricity advisor is on hand, in the UK only, seven days a week for advice and support. We'd rather you share your worries and ask all the questions you want, so you're never alone.

If you are at the starting stages of your fertility journey, and you’d like to know more about what to expect from IVF with Apricity, you canbook a free consultation with an Apricity fertility advisor.